Mariska, with holy confidence, raised her little one in her arms, and, lifting her eyes, said: "God will take us unto Himself."
"And what need hath God of you?"
"He is the Father of those who suffer, and in the other world He rewards those who suffer grief here below."
"And who told thee this?"
Mariska, as one inspired, placed her hand upon her heart and said: "It is written here!"
Azrael regarded the woman abashed. Truly, many mysterious words are written in the heart, why cannot everyone read them? She also had listened to such mystic voices, but they were words shouted in a desert, in her savage breast there was no manner of love which could interpret their meaning.
Mariska again put down her child on the edge of the cushion.
"Place not thy child there," cried Azrael impatiently; "it might easily fall, place it between us!"
Mariska accepted the offer, and placed the little one between herself and Azrael.
When the first ray of dawn penetrated the large window Mariska awoke, and, folding her hands together above the head of the little child, again began to pray.